EngenderHealth at the International AIDS Conference: Highlights

PEPFAR Gender Symposium: Practical Approaches for Integration with HIV and AIDS, featuring Dunstan Bishanga of EngenderHealth’s CHAMPION Project, and new (as of 1 September 2010) EngenderHealth President Pamela W. Barnes

Sunday, July 18
Mini Room 8, 1:30–3:30 pm

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EngenderHealth co-launches the new Global HIV Stigma Reduction Network

Wednesday, July 21
Mini Room 3, 6:30–8:30 pm

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Leadership & Accountability Development Workshop: Scaling Up Key Programmes to Protect Human Rights, led by Paul Perchal, Director, HIV and STI program, EngenderHealth

Monday, July 19
Mini Room 1, 2:30–6:00 pm

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The Language of Love: Tanzanian Women Define Intimacy, Sexuality, and Violence in the 21st Century, M. Leslie-Rule, EngenderHealth CHAMPION Project

Wednesday, July 21
Session Room 9, 2:30–4:00 pm

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EngenderHealth will be featured in more than 25 sessions at the International AIDS Conference. Download our complete schedule of activities (PDF, 376KB).

EngenderHealth at the International AIDS Conference 2010

Beginning on Sunday, July 18, policymakers, scientists, program experts, persons living with HIV, and others committed to ending the AIDS pandemic will gather in Vienna, Austria, for AIDS 2010, the 18th International AIDS Conference. Visit us at Booth #418!

Paul Perchal, director of EngenderHealth’s HIV/STI Program, will be among the conference participants. Paul’s commitment to this field is in part the legacy of losing two of his closest friends to AIDS during the mid-1990s. Gearing up for the conference, the theme of which is “Rights Here, Right Now,” Paul offers his perspective on the upcoming week in this brief Q&A:

As we head into the conference, what do you see as the most vital issues facing the field?
Universal access to prevention, care and treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS, regardless of where they live, remains paramount. The economic crisis means that donors are rethinking their priorities, and that some of the gains we’ve made in recent years could be undermined. There’s also renewed focus on human rights, and increased recognition that in places where HIV stigma persists, people just aren’t getting tested. Likewise, pregnant women are not accessing care and treatment to prevent transmitting the virus to their newborns. We really need more effective strategies to reduce stigma and its effects.

Male circumcision is also receiving wide attention. It has been proven to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in men by up to 60%, and many governments are now introducing large-scale programs to make the procedure widely available. In Kenya, for example, the government is rapidly expanding services so that 1.1 million men can opt for the procedure by 2015. While not a panacea, male circumcision is an essential tool for HIV prevention that is currently not available to millions of men who want it.

How will EngenderHealth be represented at the conference?
EngenderHealth’s expertise in reducing HIV-related stigma, engaging men to prevent HIV in their relationships and communities, and preventing mother-to-child transmission, along with what we’re learning in our large-scale male circumcision program in Kenya, will be showcased through special satellite sessions, oral presentations, and more than 20 posters. I’m especially excited that we’ll be sharing the results of our safety study of the Shang Ring, an innovative male circumcision device.

What are you most looking forward to?
The International AIDS Conference is always an opportunity to be part of the conversation about the direction the field is going in. It’s also inspiring to learn the latest in technical and clinical breakthroughs, and to engage with young and emerging leaders. Of course, it’s also great to catch up with colleagues. The opportunity for an exchange of ideas around our innovative work and for collective problem-solving is really incomparable.

EngenderHealth Names Pamela W. Barnes as New President/CEO

NEW YORK, JULY 6, 2010—EngenderHealth, a leading international reproductive health organization, has selected Pamela W. Barnes as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Barnes, former President/CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, will assume her new role on September 1.

“Pamela is a visionary leader who brings more than 30 years of experience in both private and nonprofit sectors to EngenderHealth,” said Brenda Drake, Board Chair. “After considering many extraordinary candidates from around the world, the Board Search Committee found the right CEO to lead this dynamic organization as it continues its vital work to improve the quality of health services and bring lasting change to more than 20 countries.”

Ms. Barnes served as President/CEO at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation since 2006, leading successful programs across 18 countries in Africa and Asia with more than 1,000 employees. During her tenure, Barnes significantly expanded the foundation’s program portfolio and budget, from $45 million in 2004 to $150 million in 2009. Prior to this position, Ms. Barnes was COO at the Foundation, where she managed the organization’s exponential growth and created new strategic partnerships with public and private donors.

“I am thrilled to be joining EngenderHealth and look forward to bringing a strong voice to advocate for the millions of women and families who want but still lack access to quality sexual and reproductive health services,” said Ms. Barnes. “I am wholly committed to advancing the mission of EngenderHealth and to working with our partners to strengthen health systems and improve the health and lives of those living in the world’s poorest communities.”

Ms. Barnes has also served as the Vice President of Finance and Administration at the International Trachoma Initiative and as Vice President of Operations and Finance for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in New York. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer and currently serves as co-leader of a global partnership addressing sexual violence against girls. Ms. Barnes also worked for more than 20 years in investment management and corporate finance, including stints as Assistant Treasurer of Corporate Finance at GTE and Assistant Treasurer at RCA.

Ms. Barnes holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University. She has published in peer-reviewed journals as well as in print and online media. Ms. Barnes is also a frequent lecturer and presenter at numerous professional, academic, and policy forums.

Until Ms. Barnes assumes her role as EngenderHealth President on September 1, Terrence Jezowski, EngenderHealth’s Vice President of External Relations, will serve as Interim President, starting July 19.

About EngenderHealth
EngenderHealth is a leading international reproductive health organization working to improve the quality of health care in the world’s poorest communities. EngenderHealth empowers people to make informed choices about contraception, trains health providers to make motherhood safer, promotes gender equity, enhances the quality of HIV and AIDS services, and advocates for positive policy change. The nonprofit organization works in partnership with governments, institutions, communities, and health care professionals in more than 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.engenderhealth.org.

Contact:
Theresa Kim
212-993-9834
tkim@engenderhealth.org

Good news about increased IUD use in the US

Here at EngenderHealth, we are encouraged by the recent news that IUD is an increasingly popular contraceptive method in the United States. We know through our work in the field that when correct information about the device and high quality health services are offered, the IUD is a safe, effective, and acceptable form of family planning.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results of its National Survey of Family Growth. The results of the survey, which was conducted from 2006 to 2008, show that IUD use in the US increased from 2 percent in 2002 to 5.5 percent in 2006-2008. Among women with two or more children, the increase was even greater, from 3 to 11 percent. There are now more than 2 million women using IUDs in this country.

As a long-acting contraceptive method, the IUD is one of the most effective forms of birth control. It can be used for medium and long-term planning, preventing pregnancy for up to 12 years, and is reversible.

From 2006-2008, during the same time period as the family growth survey was being conducted U.S., EngenderHealth’s ACQUIRE Project team worked with Kenya’s Ministry of Health to expand IUD use in the country’s Kisii District. In the East African country, as in the U.S., the number of women using an IUD to prevent pregnancy dropped significantly in the past two decades.

In Kisii, EngenderHealth worked with local partners to ensure this convenient and low-cost contraceptive method was more widely available and accepted by improving family planning counseling so Kenyan women could make informed choices and by providing trainings in IUD insertion and removal. In just one year, IUD use in Kisii District tripled.

Read more about how the IUD is saving lives in Ghana in this recent article by EngenderHealth’s Medical Director, Dr. Roy Jacobstein.

Action Alert: Urge Congress to End Fistula

Today, EngenderHealth joined a broad coalition of organizations in applauding Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE) for introducing important legislation that will help transform the lives of millions of women worldwide. The Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, Hope and Dignity Restoration Act of 2010, H.R. 5441, would authorize funding to prevent obstetric fistula and treat women suffering from this debilitating condition. Read the joint press release here.

“We are thrilled to see that the bill recognizes the importance of partnering with national governments and institutions and strengthening local capacity as the way forward,” said Ana Langer, M.D., President of EngenderHealth. “We know this is the most sustainable approach to preventing and treating obstetric fistula. This captures the spirit and intent of the Obama Administration’s Global Health Initiative.”

H.R. 5441 was introduced just days before the start of Women Deliver, the largest-ever conference on maternal and reproductive health, convened in Washington, DC, from June 7–9, 2010. Download the full legislation here (PDF, 41KB).

Take a moment now to write to your representatives today and ask them to co-sponsor the bill.

Learn more about Fistula Care, which is bringing vital fistula prevention and treatment services to women in 11 countries, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

The 50th Anniversary of the Pill: A Moment to Reflect and Recommit to Expanding Options

By Lynn Bakamjian, Director, RESPOND Project

The flurry of media attention around the 50th anniversary of the oral contraceptive (popularly known as “the pill”) has been a great reminder to those of us who came of age during this time of the advances that women in the United States were able to make once they had the means to safe, available, and (mostly) affordable contraception.

On a personal level, having the pill as an option provided me with the knowledge and comfort that whenever I needed to, I had the means to manage my fertility and pursue my education and career without worrying about a poorly timed or unwanted pregnancy. As I reflect on what the pill has meant to generations of women, including my own, I cannot imagine how different my life might have been without it.

And while there are many blog posts and news articles about the impact that this female-controlled, easy-to-use contraceptive had on women’s lives here in the United States, I am reminded that this is, unfortunately, not yet the case for many women and couples in developing countries.

More than 200 million women around the world have a desire to use contraception but are currently not using any effective method. This unmet need is largely due to lack of available and affordable options, to fear and concerns about safety due to misconceptions about contraceptive methods, and sometimes even to opposition by husbands or family members.

There are many options that can provide women with a choice that meets their particular family planning needs—while the pill is great, it’s not the only method. In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, many women exceed their desired family size by one or more children, which points to a greater need for options beyond short-acting methods such as the pill, especially underutilized options like intrauterine devices, implants, and sterilization. In most developing countries, however, contraceptive choice is elusive; rarely do women have the range of methods available to meet their needs.

As we mark this milestone in American history, let us remember the hundreds of millions of women who are living today, like American women were a half century ago, in fear of unintended pregnancy, and let us honor them with renewed commitment and action to bring them not only the pill, but the whole wide range of family planning methods that all women deserve.

Support Women's Health with the Global MOMS Act!

Having a baby should be among a woman's most joyous moments in life. Unfortunately, for many women around the world, childbirth can be dangerous and even deadly -- for both mother and child.

The Global MOMS Act will expand access to maternal health services and greatly reduce maternal mortality.

In 2000, the U.S., along with 191 countries, pledged to meet the Millennium Development Goals, including targeting a 75 percent decrease in maternal mortality, by 2015. The Global MOMS Act will help fulfill the pledge, as well as help countless mothers worldwide get quality health care services. For some moms, this act will be the difference between life and death.

No woman should have to put her life or health at risk during pregnancy or childbirth, and all newborns should have a healthy start in life. Tell your members of Congress to support the Global MOMS Act and fight for women's health around the world. Click here!

ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Support Global Health!

We need your help now. There is growing momentum in Washington around three very important new bills concerning global health. Take a moment now to write to Congress and urge your representatives to support these bills:

• The Global Democracy Promotion Act (H.R. 4879/S.311) would create a permanent legal barrier to attempts by any future administration to reinstate the Global Gag Rule. While President Barack Obama overturned the Gag Rule during his first week in office, this measure is needed to ensure that U.S.-funded organizations will be able to continue delivering lifesaving information and services to women and families around the globe.
  
  
• The Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2010 (H.R. 5121) supports voluntary family planning services, education and outreach, the reduction of unsafe abortions, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, the training of health care professionals, and various other initiatives.
  
  
• The Global HEALTH Act (H.R. 4933) would improve the effectiveness of U.S. global health programs by strengthening health systems in developing countries and supporting the training of local health workers.

This is important. Write to Congress now!

South Africa ramps up its response to HIV and AIDS

In a move that United Nations officials say is the biggest and fastest expansion of AIDS services ever attempted, South Africa is opening up a new front in its response to HIV. In the past month, some 500 hospitals and clinics have begun dispensing antiretroviral drugs, and the government has trained hundreds of nurses to prescribe the drugs, work that was formerly the domain of doctors, the New York Times reported yesterday. The plan is to train enough nurses so that all of South Africa’s 4,333 health clinics will be able to dispense antiretroviral medicines.

South Africa is home to an estimated 5.7 million HIV-positive people, the largest number in the world. More than half of South Africans living with HIV are women, and 20 percent of pregnant women accessing public health services in 2008 tested positive for HIV. South Africa also has a high rate of sexual and domestic violence toward women, which increases women’s vulnerability to HIV infection.

Since 1998, EngenderHealth has worked in South Africa to transform men’s attitudes and behaviors to reduce gender-based violence and HIV infection rates. We have also introduced innovative approaches for improving men’s access to HIV counseling and testing and care and treatment services. We applaud South Africa’s increased efforts to respond to HIV and the campaign that was kicked off on Sunday to test 15 million of the country’s 49 million citizens for the virus by next June. We also know from our experiences in places where doctors are scarce that properly trained nurses and midwives can offer high-quality health care.

Read more about EngenderHealth’s work to train nonphysicians to perform male circumcision in Kenya.

At the Huffington Post, More Commentary from Dr. Ana Langer on the Maternal Mortality News

Today at the Huffington Post: Dr. Ana Langer, EngenderHealth's president, explains the importance of the latest maternal mortality research published in the Lancet -- and how it inspires us to keep moving ahead.

For decades, the maternal health community has been stuck on the number 500,000 -- the estimated number of women dying from pregnancy and childbirth each year -- a stubborn figure that keeps us up at night, that horrifies us, that refuses to budge. That changed this week.

Read the full article.